This service is for couples who prefer to do all of the pre-planning but wish to relax and enjoy the wedding plans they have made and who don't want to burden family members or friends with multiple wedding day tasks and responsibilities and just need a Wedding Director for the day of the event.

Established in 1999,
we have directed well over 500 weddings throughout
New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Connecticut.

  

For more information or to schedule a FREE consultation…
Please call or email:

Jimmy Smith Events

201-497-6549

jimmysmithevents@gmail.com

www.jimmysmithevents.com

 Preferred Vendors
Officiants
Rev. Jimmy Smith – Wedding Ceremony Officiant / Minister
http://www.revjimmysmith.com/
Wedding Music
Jimmy Smith Music - Pianist
http://www.jimmysmithmusic.com/
Online Ordination
Get Ordained Online - Perform a Wedding Ceremony
http://www.ordainmeplease.com/

What is Wedding Planner?

A Wedding Planner works with couples to help them bring their dream Wedding to life.  It is an exciting, yet challenging career that is quite unique in that it is perfect for those who feel drawn to romance, creativity, design and style, but who also appreciate order, organisation and attention to detail. From minimalist to extravagant, romantic to modern, a Wedding Planner interprets the image a couple has of their day and then executes that vision by paying attention to each detail of the event.  Because each couple is different the role is extremely varied and brings together a real mixed bag of skills from Creative Director to Personal Assistant and sometimes therapist!  This is an excellent career for anyone who has a strong creative streak.  Very often a couple will come to a Wedding Planner with ideas for their Wedding but no cohesive theme or idea of how these elements will work together.  It is the job of the Wedding Planner to help them define their theme and then bring that concept to life.  This is an exciting process for creative types, but it also requires excellent communication skills and the ability to ‘visualize’ the event for the couple and the other people who will work on it with you.  Equally as important is the ability to develop strong relationships with suppliers; whether you work with them once or time and again. 

The services a Wedding Planner provides can range from sourcing and booking suppliers and ‘on-the-day-coordination’ only, to a more comprehensive service that includes working on all elements of a Wedding, from helping a couple to determine their budget, to designing their Wedding Day theme, styling the Wedding Day and overseeing and coordinating the day itself.  A good Wedding Planner will save a couple both time and money and enable the couple to enjoy the process of planning their Wedding rather than feeling stressed and anxious.

Personality Requirements

  A Wedding draws together numerous creative industries and this is an ideal profession for anyone with a flair for creativity, design and innovation.  However, a Wedding Planner needs to be more than just creative, they must also be organized, detail orientated, have good problem solving skills and stamina also helps.  The ability to keep a cool head in stressful situations is essential. 

A Wedding Planner needs to have good listening and communication skills and patience is another useful quality.  Sales and Marketing skills are also important, particularly for Wedding Planners who intend working in their own business. 

Wedding planners are responsible for organizing, coordinating and helping couples deliver successful wedding events. Unlike a general event planner, wedding planners routinely focus their professional efforts on nuptial celebrations. Wedding planners work closely alongside couples and their clients chosen vendors to deliver breathtaking and memorable special event celebrations.

Basic Job Description. 

The primary job responsibilities of a Wedding Planner vary depending upon an individual couple’s needs.  At the heart of the job is the aim to satisfy the couple’s desires and dreams when it comes to their Wedding. 

In the first instance a planner meets with a couple to discuss their Wedding and their needs.  A proposal is then put together for the couple and a contract signed.  Wedding Planners typically help a couple with the full coordination of their Wedding from setting budgets, designing the theme and sourcing suppliers to being there on the day to ensure that the day runs as it should.  A Wedding Planner can also be hired to work on individual elements of a Wedding.

Related Jobs

  Wedding Stylist, Event Producer, Event Manager, Event Planner and Venue Coordinator.

Job Responsibilities

    A wedding planner is a valuable asset in the planning and execution phases of their couples special events. Wedding planners may work alone or with the help of an assistant or staff. Job responsibilities vary by client and contracted assignment.

    Wedding planners are responsible for a myriad of tasks including interviewing and hiring vendors, selecting and ordering materials, negotiating rates, coordinating the sequence of events, following up with guests and vendors and producing full-scale events. Clients typically retain wedding planners on either a full-time basis or a day-of coordinator services basis. A skilled wedding planner will help guide their clients through the planning process, lend experience and knowledge and work tirelessly on behalf of their customers; whereas a day-of-coordinator typically handles the logistics on the wedding day, and may attend the rehearsal or a planning session.

    The role of a wedding planner varies by individual, location and clientele. As most wedding planners are self-employed, they are able to develop, grow and offer services unique to their company. Event planning firms are available and do hire qualified candidates. Employees should expect to work under an experienced planner while honing their own skills in the wedding planning field. Event professionals should expect a heavy work schedule that routinely involves long hours, late nights, weekends and holidays especially during the summer months of wedding season.

Wedding Planning Checklist

Mark an "X" when the task is completed!!

	Announce Engagement
	Select Wedding Date
	Hire wedding consultant/coordinator
	Determine type of wedding: location, theme, # of guests, formality, time of day
	Determine budget & how expenses will be shared
	Buy a daytimer to keep track of appointments & events
	Develop a record keeping system for payments
	Create an approximate # guest list
	Decide if you will be inviting children or not
	Select and reserve ceremony site
	Select and book Officiant/Priest/Minister/Rabbi
	Select and book reception location
	Select and order bridal gown
	Determine colour scheme
	If ceremony or reception is at a home, arrange for any home improvements
	Obtain, passports, visas, birth certificates, any documents need for travel and/or marriage licenses

	Select and book caterer, if needed
	Select and book photographer
	Select wedding party
	Give wedding party a list of their responsibilities
	Select and buy attire or bridesmaids & flower girl
	Select and buy attire for mothers of the bride and groom
	Select and book ceremony musicians
	Select and book live band or DJ for reception
	Select and book videography
	Select and book florist
	Register for your wedding gifts (this can be done sooner)

	Schedule fittings for custom made bridesmaids gowns
	Arrange marriage prep-courses, if necessary
	Reserve rental items
	Select and book decorator
	Finalize an A and B list of guests
	Select and order invitations and other wedding stationary
	Set date, time and location for rehearsal dinner
	Select and book honeymoon night suite
	Arrange accommodations for out-of-town guests
	Start planning your honeymoon
	Shop for your wedding gifts to each other
	Shop for your wedding gifts to your wedding party
	Shop for your wedding gifts to your parents
	Buy shoes, lingerie and accessories for the bride
	Buy shoes and accessories for the bridesmaids
	Select and order wedding bands

	Take formal engagement picture
	Select and order wedding cake
	Order party favours/bombonniere
	Select and order decorations
	Purchase honeymoon attire and luggage
	Select and book wedding day transportation
	Start addressing your invitations
	Plan activities for out-of-town guests (optional)
	Go on trials and book wedding day hair and makeup. Bring your headpiece and wear a white shirt
	Obtain marriage license (expires in 3 months)
	Send out your invitations
	Select ceremony readers
	Select ushers to seat your guests
	Select guest book attendant
	Select your MC
	Mail invitations to shower
	Get photography permit, if needed

	Maintain a record of RSVP's and early wedding gifts
	Maintain a record of shower gifts and send thank you's
	Purchase all ceremony and reception accessories: guest book, toasting glasses, garter, ring pillow, etc.
	Select and reserve wedding attire for all gentlemen
	Mail invitations to rehearsal dinner
	Plan bridesmaid luncheon
	Select your something old, new, borrowed, blue

	Finalize all food and beverages for wedding
	Finalize all ceremony details with Officiant
	Finalize all rehearsal arrangements
	Finalize all floral arrangements
	Final fittings for yourself and bridesmaids
	Make a wedding day itinerary
	Give a copy of the itinerary to your wedding party and vendors
	Finalize all details with all your vendors
	Decide order of receiving line and head table setting
	Contact guest that haven't replied
	Pick up wedding rings
	Give photographer a photo checklist
	Visit reception site for floor plan
	Create reception seating plan
	Give musicians a list of your music selection
	Inform attendants when and where to pick up attire
	Determine VIP seating for ceremony seating
	Print out seating cards
	Pick up honeymoon tickets

	Give caterer/reception venue final tally of guests
	Pack of your honeymoon
	Wrap reception flavours/bombonniere
	Arrange mail collection while you are on honeymoon

	Drop all wedding accessories and decor off at ceremony and reception locations
	Make sure you bring all gifts that will be handed out at dinner
	Make sure you have all final payments in envelopes for wedding day
	Pack over night bag for honeymoon suite
	Make sure wedding party has their itinerary
	Make sure gentlemen have black socks
	Go to church for rehearsal
	Review VIP seating with ushers at ceremony location

	Most of the details will be on your wedding day itinerary
	Eat breakfast
	Pack anything remaining on your "To Bring" list in cars
	Make sure Maid of Honour has groom's ring and Best Man has bride's ring
	Make sure you have your marriage license, photo permit and Special Occasions Permit, if needed
	Put your engagement ring on your right hand
	Use your wedding day itinerary to get you through the day on some sort of trouble
	Remember to look around and soak in the views of the day you planned so long and hard for.